Rounding Third: Of course the Marlins are listening on Stanton

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Just when you thought the Hot Stove was
dying down, the Miami Marlins come along and throw a little gasoline on the
fire.

In case you may have missed it over the weekend, Marlins assistant general manager Dan Jennings was on the radio and stated that the team would listen if teams called on burgeoning superstar Giancarlo Stanton.

"Oh, I think that's been our [modus operandi]. I know in the 10 years I've
been here, that's our M.O.," Jennings told Sirius/XM/MLB Network Radio. "We've
never not listened to a deal on any player. Sometimes I chuckle when I hear
people say, 'This guy's untouchable,' and 'That guy's untouchable.' You know
what? They may be untouchable, until someone either overwhelms you or you get
a package back that makes such a significant improvement on your club going
forward. So we've always been willing to listen.

"So while we're not shopping him, certainly not looking to move him, yeah, if
someone knocked on our door and said, 'Hey, would you guys consider this and
this and this,' you have to listen."

So, of course, the Marlins are going to deal Stanton now, right? Well,
probably not, but it gives us baseball people something to talk about for a
week or so until perhaps the most talked about Hall of Fame class is released.

It's no secret that Stanton has been unhappy with the direction Miami has
chosen to take this offseason following the landscape changing trade that sent
Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle among others to Toronto as part of a
12-player deal.

Most assumed Stanton would be the next to go, but Marlins president of
baseball operations Larry Beinfest has stood firm in saying that his young
outfielder is not on the block.

And he likely isn't. But that won't stop teams from calling. Or people in the
media from speculating on his availability. A GM isn't doing his job, though,
if he's not listening to offers, even on a young stud like Stanton.

Now, most teams wouldn't want to deal a 23-year-old power hitter. That's the
type of piece you build around. Especially one whose 93 home runs through the
age of 22 are second only to Alex Rodriguez (106) since 1965. But, these are
the Marlins. They tend to do things a little differently.

However, if the Marlins are in true rebuild mode and it certainly appears that
they are considering they will have about $20 million in committed payroll at
the start of the season, it may actually make some sense from a baseball point
of view to deal Stanton now.

For one, it can't get any worse for the team from a public relations
standpoint. That new stadium is going to be empty regardless if Stanton is
there or not. The deal with Toronto ensured that.

Plus, Stanton's value will never be higher than it is right now. He won't be
arbitration eligible until next year, meaning any team that deals for him then
is going to have to pay him. It's not crazy to think that Stanton could top
Ryan Howard's $10 million first time figure from back in 2008.

And he'd only get more expensive each year after that, unless, of course, he
comes to terms on some sort of long-term agreement. And given what's happened
here this offseason, that's probably not happening with the Marlins.

Take a look at what should be the Marlins' Opening Day roster. That is a team
that is going to lose over 100 games. What sense does it make to keep Stanton
around when you could get four or five top-level prospects back in return?

Supposedly the Seattle Mariners have already begun talking with the Marlins.
They won't be the only team, though. There will be at least 10 teams who would
come calling. But, you are going to have to back up the Brinks truck to get
him.

Chances are Stanton isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But the speculation
should hold us over for another five or six weeks until pitchers and catchers
report.